Generals' entourages face scrutiny

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey plans to review the numbers and kinds of aides and other “support” personnel who frequently surround the military’s general officers, the Defense Department said Friday.

“Gen. Dempsey believes we must look at the level and type of support senior leaders receive in the execution of their duties to ensure that it is necessary and to be sure we’re being consistent, sensible and efficient,” Pentagon Press Secretary George Little told reporters at the Pentagon.

Story Continued Below

The new scrutiny arose after Defense Secretary Leon Panetta ordered Dempsey to conduct a review of the ethics training for generals and admirals in November after a series of high-profile scandals involving military leaders.

Dempsey completed his initial review last week and delivered his recommendations to Panetta, who conveyed them to the White House. Little said Panetta had not yet decided himself whether the level of support for the top brass has become excessive.

The sex scandal that engulfed former CIA Director David Petraeus, a retired four-star Army general, exposed the sometimes glitzy lifestyle of the top ranks. For example, when Petraeus was in charge of U.S. Central Command, according to one report, he showed up for a party in Tampa, Fla., escorted by 28 police motorcycles.

General and flag officers typically have lots of support staff, who do everything from carry bags and fetch beverages to provide military and strategic advice. In some cases, top commanders have taken advantage of their aides by ordering them to take frivolous or improper assignments or relying on them to help shield their transgressions.